Yesterday me and my friends were invited to attend an open forum gathering called 1st Philippine Cosplay Mini-Summit at the UP Diliman ITTC building with the topic "Promoting the Philippine Cosplay Community" with speakers from the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) Mr. Jonathan de Luzuriaga, Commission of Information and Communication Technology (CICT) Mr. Ramon Ibrahim, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Mr. Eric Tamayo, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Mr. James Romana, ABS-CBN Interactive representative Mr. Cid (i forgot his last name, my apologies) and Game Developers Association of the Philippines Mr. Ranulf Goss.  What caught m y attention at first is that for a mini-cosplay summit, nobody represented the cosplay community among the speakers. The only person i saw that had experience regarding cosplay was from the gaming industry Mr. Ranulf. Now i do not mind him being part of the panel, but when he spoke he was more into the gaming industry side instead of representing the cosplay community in general. The last two speakers, were to my opinion, not speakers but more like advertisers promoting their wares (which I'm not surprised, considering they probably sponsored the place). But being speakers, they were given the opportunity to relate their respective companies with cosplay, in which both tried valiantly but to me, no avail. In particular was the speaker for ABS CBN's AMPED. Apparently he based his knowledge of cosplay thru whatever he heard from the grapevine. I wouldn't have had to correct him if he didn't claim to have "been into it" and that "he can help develop cosplayers for gaming" and then comparing the process akin to a farm. Yes, a farm. Being announced as speaker also gave him us the opportunity to clarify his statements. I ended up explaining what cosplay is to him and to us in general. In the end, we shook hands, and even discussed more about cosplay after the event. Nothing personal whatsoever and that i was glad he was more than willing to hear the rest of the story regarding cosplay.  But the more important topics were discussed regarding DFA and their intention in being in the mini-summit. To sum it up, the DFA speakers were there to learn what cosplay is. They were invited so that they can see and understand what this sub-culture really is, so basically they went there a bit half-blind and focused more on why they were there in the first place. So the whole thing came to this: Mr. Ibrahim was asked what can DFA can do for the cosplay community, he answered saying, and i quote "What can we do for you?" Cryptic, safe, and definitely with no idea how to help the community. Questions were given regarding helping sending cosplayers to represent WCS in Japan to allowing cosplayers to have "Cosplay Day" (which personally, was unnecessary, and i was even embarrassed by the question). I personally don't see any need to have a day for cosplayers: we have gatherings and conventions for that, and done on a weekend as not to disturb school and work, which to me is more of a priority than anything else. But regardless, I felt everything was made clear by another statement given by the DFA representatives: "DFA would help, if there is TRADE involved." There you go, clear as day. If there is trade in cosplay, then DFA would be interested to support it. "Otherwise", they said, "This would be the concern for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)" Please correct me if I heard it wrong, cuz isn't that the same group who got C.J. Caparas in the National Artist list? I think some of the audience thought so too, as groans were heard after he said it. Going back to the trade aspect, i think this topic with the DFA would have been better off discussed with people who organizes cosplay events and those who capitalize on cosplay related paraphernalia. Oh, and one last thing though, there were talks regarding fears of government being involved and adding taxes to our small niche hobby, well here's the thing: there were no discussion regarding taxes, or if taxes are to be imposed once DFA had an interest in cosplay. I think the discussion was at best, unnecessary, since those who do get taxed are people who capitalize on cosplay, not cosplay itself. If you sell something inside a well known establishment, you get taxed. In a convention, the trade hall owners get a cut out of your deal because it pays taxes to the government. When you pay the entrance fee, you pay taxes to the government. Some micro businesses can get under the radar and getting 100% of the profit, but they are only few and far in between (not to mention pretty much common when you go outside and check out the tiangges). So if you are deathly afraid of the government accountants eyeing on cosplay, then heck, your paranoia is well spent since its has been going on from the first time a cosplay was held in a convention in SM Megamall back in 2000. That convention has been tax mapped. The government actually got something out of an event that had cosplay in it. Don't get your mind wandering off the board. Death and taxes are a reality, and only people who get money out of cosplay gets taxed. Its called business taxes. Don't worry, your Orwellian vision of big brother leeching money out of you for just wearing a costume is still within the realm of horror fiction. All in all the summit did bring some issues to light and discussed civilly and respectfully as it could. But to me, the idea of DFA having to help cosplayers directly is still within the realm of wishful thinking. What reason can we hobbyists give for the DFA to invest on the community? From the cosplayer it's pretty much a self-serving issue: getting somebody to pay for some cosplayer to represent the Philippines in whatever international contest being just one of them. Its a nice dream, but does anyone ever ask themselves the price one would pay for such support, for a hobby that's not even distinctly Filipino in nature? Its a question whose answer one would only find out when they actually get there. Feel free to share your thoughts on the matter as mature and civil as possible. Flaming and trolling posts will be deleted.
 | Bravo Robert. Tax terminology is confusing for me so I really appreciate the explanation.
That said, I think some parties are making mountains out of molehills. Tama ka, the business aspects of mounting a cosplay event (venue rental especially) would be the ones to be taxed, but not the act of cosplaying itself.
Although, if the government would be involved, hindi ba yung best agencies would be the Department of Education, or (although this is not going to be a popular idea right now) NCCA? |
 | personally, if the government were to "help" the community, the best thing i can think of at the moment would be allowing shoot/gatherings in public places without having to pay for a permit. Not exactly not needing one, but rather being able to secure one for free. But ofcourse given that the output would be purely non-profit. And on the agreement that the venue will be left clean after the activity. Serving also as help to promote the venue. But knowing our government having "no money, no deal" mentality...goodluck on that...
For the Summit itself, I guess its better to find sponsors rather than ask for government support regarding this matter. And I honestly dont think that the present community is ready for international competition. Sorry, pero minsan sa local event na nga lang, madami pang pasaway, mga hindi nagbabasa ng rules or nangbabash ng kapwa cosplayer. Tapos international pa kaya?
just my 2cents. |
 | jusmak wrote on Aug 16, '09, edited on Aug 16, '09 GOVERNMENT WAG!!!! leave our hobby alone! >____<
the fact that these people set up this "cosplay summit" without even talking with any respectable representative from the community beforehand is already fishy. cant they even do their homework and know who they have to talk to? geez. gaming and cosplay are related but different.
altho if there's anything i could ask from the government other than funding for international competitions, its that they give recognition to cosplay as an art form. XDD. so that one day we may have a National Artist for cosplay. haha. of course its too early to say that but someday... someday maybe.
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 | Yeah, I got really confused when I heard the cosplay community was meeting with the DFA too. Isn't the DFA for foreign relations and diplomatic ties? What does that have to do with cosplay? *actual question, not sarcasm* |
 | "DFA would help, if there is TRADE involved."
That pretty much sums everything up. If they don't get something from us, sorry na lang tayo. =P
Actually, businesses and companies have been utilizing cosplayers to attract crowds and sell tickets since the trend picked up. This time they're just publicly confirming it, and of course if something makes money, we can bet our colorful butts that the government will eventually want to be in on it, And that is what they're planning to do now. Pessimistic as it may sound, that is what my opinion is, sadly =( |
 | evaguy01 wrote on Aug 16, '09, edited on Aug 16, '09 I do commend the people behind the summit for at least attempting the idea of having our government help out cosplay. I think the closest thing of a government body helping something cosplay related was the 2006 Cosplay Evolution in Marikina, which was supported by the mayor of the city to coincide with their Phil-Japan Friendship Week. Then costume making seminars were made as a summer activity course there, supported again by the mayor. But other than Marikina, there was no other government group who was actively aware of cosplay and supporting it. |
| i suspected that its an overnight project, where everything was speeded up just to have a summit. I also think they wanted to make this a two sided affair, the speakers having little or no idea about cosplay, and the audience who are knowledgeable about it. Although i just found it quite annoying that being speakers, majority initially have nothing to offer on the topic and just as confused. Only when both sides started talking in the Q&A portion did things started to clear up. |
| The idea that the DFA could support cosplay is most likely linked to the opportunity for cosplayers to be sent as representatives of the Philippines to join international cosplay contests like World Cosplay Summit, akin to the DFA's past involvement with other international contests like, um, Miss Universe pageants (good lord, how i cringe at the comparison). |
Comment deleted at the request of the author. |  i suspected that its an overnight project, where everything was speeded up just to have a summit. I also think they wanted to make this a two sided affair, the speakers having little or no idea about cosplay, and the audience who are knowledgeable about it. Although i just found it quite annoying that being speakers, majority initially have nothing to offer on the topic and just as confused. Only when both sides started talking in the Q&A portion did things started to clear up.  Actually, some of the people behind this forum were cosplay fans. I actually know them, though I will admit I haven't spoken with them lately. http://lainewell.multiply.com/journal/item/353/To_all_interested_cosplayers_w. Mukha ngang insta-project ito. |
| Its a natural and common thing for governments to tax businesses. Thats why they hate piracy, they dont contribute to the government tax fund which i really hope goes mostly to infrastructure and economic progress. Like i mentioned in my blog, the government has already been dipping its hand in cosplay related events. You sell something, you pay tax. Simple as that. |
| I am so not comfortable with the Ms. Universe comparison. Ba't di nga NCCA, since sila na pinaka-compatible: Cosplay is a culture (or, to be more precise, a sub-culture), and it encourages creativity and expression, which is something the NCCA would definitely appreciate. Problema lang panira yung head ng NCCA ngayon e... |
 | nagkakaseryosohan na sa cosplay T__T |
| Its a natural and common thing for governments to tax businesses. Thats why they hate piracy, they dont contribute to the government tax fund which i really hope goes mostly to infrastructure and economic progress. Like i mentioned in my blog, the government has already been dipping its hand in cosplay related events. You sell something, you pay tax. Simple as that. True, but doesn't the government gives support gratis to certain parties through certain di ba? For example, PAGCOR and PCSO encourage gaming and some forms of gambling with a portion of the proceeds going to funding for livelihood projects and sponsorship of certain hospital bills.
Now if this tie-up or collaboration between the cosplay community and the government hypothetically pushes through, the government may choose to sponsor local cosplayers to join World Cosplay Summit or some other similar contest. Let's be realistic, this scenario would more likely than not end pretty badly for everyone.
If I may draw up a comparison, heto legit: DTI is supposed to assist start-up local enterprises, whether small or medium in size. Having worked with some of the MSMEs naririnig ko sa kanila na DTI doesn't give them enough of a push and puts more of their money into supporting larger businesses so these enterprises fold up so early. Unfortunately I haven't heard anything from government side, but I hope this is a good enough comparison for our purposes.
Of course I may be going too far ahead din. :) |
| nakita ko rin yan.. medyo napa-facepalm ako n kinda addressed cna henry ng concern ko. Big talks tapos parang hatak lng ung audience... medyo off sya... |
 | polidread wrote on Aug 16, '09, edited on Aug 16, '09 monumentally preposterous.
"Promoting the Philippine Cosplay Community" is a vague topic title.
first questions that need the most urgent answers are:
why is there a need to promote philippine cosplayers ?
who is going to actually benefit from this "promotion" ?
does the "philippine cosplay community" need any actual promotions ?
for what end ?
and every answer to each question gets this question:
why ? |
 | lizeri wrote on Aug 16, '09, edited on Aug 16, '09 Im not sure about Departement of Education for i dont see cosplay as being vocational (plus cosplay is confused with Theater Arts), but the speakers were clear about suggesting the NCCA. Maybe in terms of orienting schools' community regarding activities that resulted from cosplaying, and the behaviors of cosplay enthusiasts (whether students or teachers), DepEd could interfere. If there is D.A.R.E for drugs, it could be possible to have an awareness program for cosplay too.
As for cosplay to Theater Arts, I think would be better if it will be added as a new concept instead of putting the same weight to each other. Like, it could count in the history of theater arts. Anyway, eversince, costume playing is already existing, though the "cosplay" term and its definition "act of imitating anime/manga characters" was just coined by the Japanese until it expanded to "imitation of videogame/movie/other fictional characters. But if we consider the element it has, it was actually derived from theater.
I would agree for having NCCA as the one of the agencies to support cosplay since it is very related to arts. |
 | Oh look, it's my back in your photo. :D I have my own words to say about the entire thing, on my blog. Actually the guy who said "How can we help you?" wasn't from the DFA, he was from the Commission of Information and Communication Technology. The only DFA guy there was just a Special Assistant to the Undersecretary. So there weren't even any movers and shakers representing the government. |
| Actually the guy who said "How can we help you?" wasn't from the DFA, he was from the Commission of Information and Communication Technology. The only DFA guy there was just a Special Assistant to the Undersecretary. Hello Otaking! :D Nice to meet you there in person! Sorry about the back photo, you were in front of me when it all happened, hehe.
Yes, Mr. Ibrahim was not from DFA, but he took the question and answered for them, in which the Undersecretary agreed with. True there arent any true movers and shakers from DFA or any government body, but at least there was a representative nevertherless. Like I said, its still a long way from understanding each other and eventually finding some common ground (which to me, at that end of the summit, was no less than when it started). |
| Actually when it started, the most urgest question for them was "What on earth is cosplay?" It took almost an hour tackling that question. |
 | Hello~ I just linked your entry in my blog for those people who are also interested in knowing what happened in the mini-summit. Thanks! http://mors-mortis.net/?p=132 |
| Government officials carefully cultivate a veneer of ignorance. Because they are instructed to get as much information about a subject before making decisions, lacking information about a topic allows them to avoid making decisions as long as they possibly can. :D |
| Unfortunately this time it's not really as simple as that. Based on your own take on the speakers and their statements, they don't even understand the subculture very well("what is cosplay" took an hour to discuss XD- no offense to them tho) except that it has potential to generate income. No substantial research is apparent, despite our community being small and tight knit, many people on this journal alone were even aware of this(!) To me that just comes off as another rushed, half hearted attempt(like so many other things our government likes to get into) that mean well, but not given enough thought. |
| Sir, there is one matter i would like to inquire? Who initiated this meeting? I mean for the government to look a certain hobby with interest would mean something or somebody poked their attention. |
Comment deleted at the request of the author. | I assume the organizers behind the summit (students and faculty of ITTC). As to be specific about it, i have no known names to connect it to. |
 | I think I got as much out of the situation from what has been written. I believe it was pretty objective and informative without being biased. And for that, Thank you.
Overall, I don't think cosplay can be tapped as an industry to generate a commercialized form of income. Sure cosplayers have been tapped in order to help promote products and services but in my opinion, its no better than situational use for promoting events and warranting public hype. The payoff on that is as high as the employer is willing to go for it so no cosplayer is quitting their day jobs to be long term corporate mascots anytime soon.
As of asking the government to help recognize cosplay as an art form, I believe the burden is not for the government to see that but for the individuals and those in the community to keep raising the bar. I don't think it can be perceived as national art considering the origin of it stems from Japan and it borrows heavily from pop media. Meaning it does not really have an identity that can correlate with our country since many countries do it as well.
I still believe that ultimately it is a hobby. It has its own pageantry that is supported by its own commercial purposes, much like other pageant contests do. |
 | dasku wrote on Aug 19, '09 *yawn* as expected upon the government if there is no money involved they do not care. *Bulsa muna bago mamayan* hangang ngayun wala paring pag babago sa ating gubyerno. *sigh* |
Comment deleted at the request of the thread owner. Comment deleted at the request of the thread owner. | |
